Oklahoma canoe and kayaking events, information and contacts. Find Oklahoma float trip outfitters, learn about local river conditions and find out about great kayak put-ins, paddler groups and campgrounds in and around Oklahoma and the Ozarks.

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

On Monday, our part of Oklahoma was blessed with spring-like weather in the 60's. Acting quickly, Dianne and I foisted off our spawn on the nearest Grandparent and headed to the river for some emergency paddling. We have both been spending too many long hours at the keyboard and not enough in the sunshine.

We went back to the Deep Fork River bridges near Grayson and paddled the opposite direction as we went last time. I think we were going downstream, but there wasn't enough current to make much difference either way. Although it was a little breezy at times, for the most part it was perfect paddling weather. The sun was brilliant and there was quite a bit of wildlife out and about. We saw several whitetail deer, gray squirrels and a healthy number of turtles. One crazy carp nearly jumped in my kayak!

Just like before, we found the water relatively deep for the season, slow running and much more free of logjams and debris than many parts of the Deep Fork River. The two highway bridges near Grayson make a really nice place to slip the kayaks in the water for some excercise. We both felt renewed after only few hours of paddling in the sun. On this part of the Deep Fork River, there are miles of curvy waterways to paddle up and back on.